
The league has expanded its broadcast network to 37 platforms worldwide, incorporating traditional sports networks such as ESPN and Fox, digital powerhouses like YouTube and DAZN, and regional streaming platforms. The agreements follow the extension of a four-year media rights distribution contract with IMG, which will continue to oversee the league’s global outreach and content distribution.
Under the renewed IMG partnership, matches from the league now reach more than 184 countries across 43 platforms, building on a trajectory of increasing international visibility. The deals include ESPN coverage in Africa, DAZN rights in France and the DACH region, Fox Sports access in the Americas, and key deals in Latin America, Asia, and Europe. The league has also adopted a hybrid broadcast and digital strategy to reach diversified audiences.
DAZN, for instance, now holds global highlight rights for the Roshn Saudi League for the next two seasons, enabling fans to catch condensed versions of matches without a paywall. The streaming service will build a dedicated Roshn Saudi League hub on its platform, aligning the league’s content strategy with DAZN’s growing football portfolio.
India’s FanCode has secured multi-year streaming rights to show more than 150 matches every year, including weekly fixtures featuring Al Nassr and high-stakes battles involving Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. The agreement underscores the league’s push into the South Asian market, where demand for live football remains strong.
To engage younger, digitally native viewers, the league has diverged from convention by granting streaming permissions to a content creator. French media influencer Zack Nani will stream three matches per week with highlights on YouTube and Twitch in France—one of the first instances of a creator participating in major league broadcasting.
The growth in broadcast reach is backed by strong audience metrics. The 2024–25 season drew over 230 million viewers globally, positioning Roshn among the most watched leagues. International broadcast revenues have seen compounded growth—rising by over 20 percent across two consecutive seasons.
Omar Mugharbel, chief executive of the Saudi Pro League, said the new broadcast architecture ushers in a new era of “global visibility and fandom.” He emphasized that combining premier broadcasters with innovative digital channels would deliver broader access and engagement for football fans everywhere.
Topics
Live News